December 28, 2017

Definitely, a couple of my most favorite pages in my December Daily 2017 album. I used Sahlin Studio's papers which I have used here and there throughout the album for some cohesiveness; although, not all pages have these papers - nor color scheme, but, I love them none the less.

After a year of nourishing a heart of giving I knew I wanted to end the year strong, especially since the Christmas season should be about giving back, giving to others, serving, and being kind. Because isn't Jesus, and being a light to the world, the reason for the season, anyways.

I originally planned on a 'planner' sort of journal for each day of giving but I found this 12-square, 6 x 8 template and thought, 'Wow! That would be perfect for 24 days of giving leading up to Christmas.

I inserted the papers into the squares, added numbers to each square changing the opacity so words of giving could show through; added a few embellishment brushes or chipboard here and there and then mimicked the page for the second page.

Only 4 of the 24 days we didn't give purposefully, intentionally, joyfully, either because we weren't able, or we weren't in a position to give something. It struck me that we could make this a tradition and have December 1-24 be days of giving each year leading up to Christmas Day.

I'm very pleased with these pages, the 'new' tradition, the idea of giving and finishing my year of giving strong and the joy I've found in giving to others. I'll never forget where God has moved me this year.

A fun couple of pages! I scraplifted an Ali Edwards page from her product play class - full of stars. Of course, this is digital. I 'stitched' the squares and rectangles for stars and journaling the days events.

It was our turn to see Star Wars, the Last Jedi and we loved it! Jeff came home (for good) early enough that we were able to see a matinee showing of Star Wars and a dinner at Ha Hot, a favorite Mongolian BBQ restaurant in town. Love these December stories I've told this year.

I'm so excited I'm going to have an album full of stories. This is the first year I have gotten this far. I am planning on finishing out the year even for 31 December stories!

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree how sorry are your branches..." so begins the song. I know. Those aren't the words of the song but work with me here. Because, look. Until last year, when we decided it was time to go fake, we would go to Brewers Tree Farm in Midway and cut down a beautiful, lovely smelling Christmas tree and I loved every tree we brought home.

Last year this tree seemed fuller and more 'real' looking and this year, this synthetic tree with lights that won't turn on, so we had to string lights anyways - well, I guess when we turn the lights on...it brings a smile and maybe it's not so bad after all.

December 18, 2017

And, just like that, keeping it simple, keeping it clean, using templates and overlays, I'm all caught up. And yet, I still have many stories yet to tell. I'm so excited how I am keeping up with this project this year.

This week is going to be extremely busy getting ready for Jeff coming home and Ashley and family coming into town, plus my mom on Christmas day. I have decorating to complete, homemade cookies to make (I'm going to have to make one a day if I'm going to get them all made that are on my list).

After eating brunch at Metro Diner we came back to the house and 'went' to church. Compassion Christian streams their services and we made sure we had enough time after breakfast to set up the computer to the television so we could join everyone for the 11 o'clock service. The music was awesome!

I also shared in this december story how we did a bit of gift giving, or blessings to our servers at each of the places we ate at this weekend.

These two. They braved the public and wore their Jedi knight costumes to the new Star Wars, the Last Jedi movie on Saturday. I'm not sure I would have had the nerve but John and Jarrod are big kids at times and they ended up having a ball!

Super simple left side: I used the movie post and an Ali Edwards overlay. I loved that the poster was 'Christmas-sy'.

Again, using some Ali Edwards journal cards and a chipboard all from her December Daily 2017 Main Kit I finished the page. Sure, I made some color adjustments but otherwise kept it super simple because it is my best bet and stress free scrapbooking.